Tuesday 22 May 2012

Review & $75 Gift Card Giveaway: Golden Chariot by Chris Karlsen

Original Title: Golden Chariot
Author: Chris Karlsen
Publisher: Bookstogonow
Published Date: March 2012
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary Romance



The rare discovery of a ship sunk during the time of the Trojan War has been found off the coast of Turkey, near Troy. Charlotte Dashiell is an American nautical archaeologist and thrilled to be part of the recovery team. The wreck may contain proof of her highly controversial theory about the Trojan War.

Charlotte is present when the Turkish government agent assigned to guard the site is murdered. Her possible involvement and a questionable connection to a private collector of black market relics bring her under suspicion. Atakan Vadim is the Turkish agent sent to investigate her. Unknown to either of them, the smuggler behind the murder plans to steal a valuable artifact and frame Charlotte for the theft...after they murder her.

EXCERPT

Shouts of “fire” came from all sides of the camp. The west wind blew sparks in the direction of the lab. They could lose the entire camp, but not the lab, not the artifacts.

Charlotte grabbed an empty barrel from the fire line. She ran with it and started climbing the stairs to the shower stall’s water tank. A man’s large hand covered her mouth. His other hand brandished a gun. With the cold barrel to her ear, he walked her backwards down the few steps to the ground.

“Don’t scream.” Little-by-little his palm came away from her mouth.

REVIEW

Charlotte is an American archaeologist, who wishes to prove an interesting theory about Trojan Wars.  She travels to the Turkish Coast and caught in a shipwreck..not only that, but also she becomes the prime suspect to the murder that takes place in that ship.  Atakan is the male, who is responsible to investigate that murder.  He was annoyingly suspicious on Charlotte at first.  But, when Atakan knows that Charlotte is not behind the murder, the attraction between the couple grow.  Yeah, there is romance and its good.  Will Atakan be able to bring the real murderers, saving Charlotte?  Is Charlotte's interesting theory true?

Charlotte and Atakan's adventures in undersea are really cool stuff and their discovery of Tron's and Trojan War's artifacts are really amusing.  The character formation and dialogue writing was so good.  Although I am new to the author, this author is one of those talents that I missed out.  The Trojan War facts are interesting to read and felt like reading one of Dan Brown's.

Romance and mystery combined, this book was a great read! 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.

My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.

I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream.

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, four rescue dogs and a rescue horse. 

AUTHOR ONLINE: Website | Facebook

GIVEAWAY

Chris will award eBook copies of her paranormal romance series to one commenter at every stop, a $75 Amazon GC grand prize to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

JUST LEAVE A COMMENT TO THE AUTHOR WITH YOUR EMAIL ID TO ENTER $75 GC GIVEAWAY.  

OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!  ENDS MAY 25TH 2012!

78 comments:

  1. this is great!

    http://hailgil.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gil,

      Thank you. This was a fun story to write.
      Chris

      Delete
  2. What a colorful background you have. I was intriqued and can't wait to read your book! lisarayns(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa,
      I liked being a detective but never desired to write cop stories. I hope you enjoy the book. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you finish.
      Chris
      www.chriskarlsen.com

      Delete
  3. awesome! :D

    aragonmarius(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marius,

      Thank you. It's always nice to hear an "awesome," in regards to a story.
      Chris

      Delete
  4. Thank you for the wonderful excerpt & review. I have GOLDEN CHARIOT on my wish list.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello again, Marybelle. I'm glad you liked the excerpt. I'm certainly pleased with the review. I'm working on a trailer for Golden Chariot, which will be on my website and You Tube when I finish:)
      Chris

      Delete
  5. Trojan War? That sounds intriguing!
    Also, it's so nice to hear the author has rescue dogs and a horse! Lovely! :)
    Thank you for the giveaway!

    shilohova@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Petra,
      I originally planned for Golden Chariot to take place in Istanbul and involve artifact smuggling. When I visited the ruins of Troy, I knew I wanted a different story, one that involved artifact smuggling still but the Trojan War too.
      Chris

      Delete
  6. Oh wow! Mystery AND romance? I love them both. :)

    pragyasharma_100@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      I think you'll have fun with the story as it combines not only mystery and romance but history and thriller moments and a lovely Aegean Sea setting.
      Chris

      Delete
  7. This sounds really interesting. I like the excerpt it's a really great teaser because you want to know what happens next. Thanks.

    boriquaprincess@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy,
      I'm glad you like the excerpt. It's often a toss up as what to include in an excerpt that does tease and intrigue:)
      Chris

      Delete
  8. Chris is definitely a new author for me but knowing that her new book combined my favourite genres (part historical, part mystery, part romance) surely piqued my interest. Happy to hear that it's good and I cannot wait to read it myself.

    Thanks for the great review.

    shy8629(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shy,

      I liked including a mix of things in the story and those that you mentioned are all interests of mine too. I hope you enjoy the story. I'd love to hear from you on it.
      Chris
      www.chriskarlsen.com
      chriskarlsenwriter@gmail.com

      Delete
  9. I know absolutely nothing about the Trojan War.. this might be an interesting read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Oddduck,
      The Trojan War was the subject of Homer's epic poem, The Iliad. The characters of that poem inspired my heroine, Charlotte in Golden Chariot.
      Chris

      Delete
  10. Sounds interesting, I love The Trojan War (abouttoread@gmail.com)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Tiffany,
      I found the ruins of Troy inspiring. I have posted some pictures of it on my Pinterest Boards. The time frame of the war, The Bronze Age, is a particular interest to me as it relates to that part of the Near East.
      Chris

      Delete
  11. This seems like a very interesting read! I would love to read and then can post a review on my blog.

    piabernardino[at]bermillion[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pia,
      Thank you for the compliment. It would be great to have you review Golden Chariot on your blog also and much appreciated.
      Chris

      Delete
  12. I love the cover! And the Trojan War sure is an interesting subject to read about ^^

    ellaangelus@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ella,
      Thank you, I liked the cover too. My dear friend and fellow author, Jenni Conner, created it for me. I'm glad the subject matter interests you. The war and Troy are fascinating, IMO.
      Chris

      Delete
  13. Sounds great! I love the Trojan War in plots!

    lterek1027@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Devoted,
      Thank you for the compliment. The war offers so many different views and makes for a good subject.
      Chris

      Delete
  14. Your great experiences and love of books and travel make me really anxious to read your book!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisanne,
      I am grateful everyday for the opportunities I've had, traveling is at the top. There's so many wonderful books, I doubt I could read all of them in 5 lifetimes.
      Chris

      Delete
  15. I was looking at your other books at your website, both of which seem like very good books too. In each of your books, while all seem to have a touch of paranormal, it appears you have switched genres to some extent; a couple of time-travel back to medieval times and a modern day setting with mystery-suspense & paranormal elements. What prompted the change?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi again Karen,
      I love to write about what interests me. Time-travel, medieval history, the Trojan War, archaeology are all intriguing to me. By writing in two different sub-genres, I could create stories that covered all those. I've finished the draft of the sequel to Golden Chariot and am currently working on book 3 or my paranormal romance series, Knights in Time. I like to hear what you thought of the trailers on my website for Heroes Live Forever and Journey in Time.
      Chris

      Delete
  16. I want to thank Books are Magic for inviting me here today and for the lovely review. I'm enjoying all the comments. I'll try to answer each during the day.
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've always been intrigued by the Trojan War, and you don't see too many modern-day references to it...

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anonymous,
      You're right, we don't see many references to the Trojan War these days. I don't know why as there's ongoing archaeological work and new discoveries all the time. Have to keep watching the History Channel with fingers crossed.
      Chris

      Delete
  18. Sounds awesome! I love archeological fiction, and the Trojan War is fascinating. Thanks for the chance to win!

    nmetolen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nikki,
      Thank you for the awesome. Always cool to hear. I love archaeology and love it in fiction too. I hope you like the story and wish you good luck.
      Chris

      Delete
  19. Thank you for the giveaway. I look forward to reading your book.

    cathygarcia51(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy,
      I would love to hear back from you on the book. I can be contacted through my website: www.chriskarlsen.com or via email: chriskarlsenwriter@gmail.com.
      Chris

      Delete
  20. What a great review. Sounds like this is a book worth reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI MomJane,
      It was a great review and I appreciate Vidya's thoughts. I wish you good reading and enjoy the book.
      Chris

      Delete
  21. love this blog and decided to follow it! www.amysbooketlist.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Amy,
    Welcome and I am glad you chose to follow today. I hope you love the book too.
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  23. The book sounds really interesting! Thanks for sharing it & getting it on my radar!

    stephward84(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Steph,
      I am thrilled to be on the radar:) Hope you like the book. I have photos related to the story on my Pinterest page:http://pinterest.com/chriskarlsen/
      Chris

      Delete
  24. This book sounds like it is along the lines of an amazing Clive Cussler. With historical background so the reader can come out with a bit of knowledge as well as the thrill of a murder mystery...with a modern Damsel in distress in the form of Charlotte.
    This goes on my TBR pile for sure!
    Thanks for sharing and best of luck with this and all your books.
    M.C.V. Egan
    The Bridge of Deaths
    m_c_v_egan@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catalina,
      I'm flattered to have my book mentioned in the same sentence as Clive Cussler. Thank you for the good luck wishes. I'd love to hear from you after you get to read Golden Chariot.
      Chris

      Delete
  25. I have to admit that I probably wouldn't pick this up on my own, so thank you for the review. I will have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Steph,
      I'm so glad Vidya's review struck a cord with you and I hope you will get the book and enjoy the story.
      Chris

      Delete
  26. I have not read your book, (tho I intend to) but I see that many of the comments here are about the Trojan War, and how much readers enjoy reading about it. Do not ya feel that you've put that piece of history into Parentheses? I mean, what would you think about a story that takes place during the Trojan War? Would there be a difference in marketing strategy? I realize you have to scratch where it itches, but perhaps you could share some of your decision-making process. Just askin'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Charlie,
      There's a series I like by the late David Gemmell that takes place during the Trojan War. My inspiration came from walking the walls of the ruins of Troy. I wanted my heroine to pay homage to the heroes of Troy (if the war took place). I used her to present an alternate but controversial theory to the alleged war. My intent was to write a romantic thriller rather than a historical. Yes, I think the marketing is different. When I wrote Golden Chariot, I wasn't writing to the market as I didn't know if the interest in the war was there. I wrote to the characters and the situation. My two paranormal romances open with the characters in the historical period and then I move them around in various time periods.
      Chris

      Delete
  27. What? You can't just finish an excerpt like THAT.. Now, I want to know what's next..

    r.vicky44@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vignesh,

      I am glad you got a kick out of the excerpt. I could tell you what happens next but hope you'll read the book and tell me how you liked it @www.chriskarlsen.com. Photos and more related to the book can be found on my pinterest page: pinterest.com/chriskarlsen
      Chris

      Delete
  28. Sounds like an interesting premise. Thank you for the excerpt (although it is much too short!). Good luck with the release and thank you for the giveaway.

    elewkf1 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elf,
      I appreciate you like the premise. I can tell you that things get worse before they get better for Charlotte (the next few chapters after the excerpt). Good luck to you on the giveaway.
      Chris

      Delete
  29. Great review and thanks for the giveaway!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Throuthehaze,

      We talked earlier today at another stop. I am thrilled with the good review and hope you're interest is piqued:)
      Chris

      Delete
  30. Good review, Vidya...comparing to Dan Brown--that's high praise!
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Catherine Lee,

      It is high praise. I am thrilled with Vidya's comparison.
      Chris

      Delete
  31. This sounds like a great read! Thank you for the review and excerpt!
    speck.sw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Susan,
      Thank you for the kind words. Glad you liked the excerpt:)
      Chris

      Delete
  32. SOUNDS AMAZING, THANKS

    SKYANGELHC@YAHOO.COM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Skyangel,
      Thank you. I'm glad you're intrigued:)
      Chris

      Delete
  33. Great giveaway!!! It seems a book, just right for my brother..he thrives on thriller novels..he will love it.
    harsha_8418@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HiHarsha,
      What a nice sister you are:) Let me know what he thinks.
      I can be contacted at chriskarlsenwriter@gmail.com
      Chris

      Delete
  34. New to Trojan War, like to try it.

    sound4peace at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Satheesh,

      It's a fascinating period in history, IMO. I have photos of the region and shipwrecks and some on Troy on my boards at pinterest.com/chriskarlsen
      Chris

      Delete
  35. Great! Thanks for inviting us to this great giveaway . Does this novel has anything to do with Troy movie? Because I know only that, LOL

    rajeshrk1988 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rajesh,
      No, the novel is nothing like the movie. The heroine, Charlotte's theory deals with characters from the Iliad, which the movie is based upon.
      Chris

      Delete
  36. This looks like an awesome book! Thank you for the giveaway!

    beautybriteblog at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Charisma,
      Thank you for the kind words. I hope you enjoy the story.
      Chris

      Delete
  37. Wow. Sounds like a a very absorbing read! I have always loved that time period and to put such intrigue into the plot, well I'll absolutely want to read this. Thanks for the giveaway. I could sure use one. Charlotte sounds like a spunky woman who will be very interesting! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debra Jayne,
      Doing the research on the period was both daunting and fascinating. I read many good books and articles and saw a number of interesting DVDs. Yes, Charlotte is not easily intimidated:)
      Chris

      Delete
  38. I'm somewhat curious about the names, Vadim sounds more Russian than Turkish, how did you come up with it?

    anzuazura at yahoo dot de

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Lana,

    I did a search for both Turkish boy's names and surnames on a couple of sites. I was a bit surprised by Vadim also. I remember it belonging to the late French movie director, Roger Vadim and thought it French. Who knew:) Atakan means belonging to his "ancestors." All the Turkish names came from the sites I searched.
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank you so much for this giveaway..its still May 25th here..so I am still in, right?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi, old follower! Great giveaway
    suba.478 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Trojan wars huh? Great new topic in a whirl of contemporary romances. Would like to read it. sharmi.jagan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am not much into reading..but, who can avoid a good thriller. I am in.

    Mail ID: jayantikumari.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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